Chiang Mai Overview

The sighting of several good omens convinced King Mengrai to establish the seat of his great Lanna Kingdom in Chiang Mai in 1296—an auspicious beginning for a city that has become Thailand’s second-largest. Thousands of farang, drawn by the promise of adventure and a cooler climate, clog the narrow streets of the “Rose of the North.” Many have settled here, adding to the sizable expat community. While the increasing number of tourists raises both environmental and cultural preservation concerns, Chiang Mai has retained its cultural uniqueness. A distinctive dialect, Burmese-influenced art and architecture, and an abundance of sticky rice (a northern specialty) prove that the city is not about to surrender its heritage anytime soon.

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